Doncaster Rovers Belles

11 July 2011

World Cup Fever Hits S.Yorkshire

With the World Cup currently under way in Germany, Sheffield & Hallamshire FA held their girls South Yorkshire primary schools final with a ‘WORLD CUP’ theme at Sheffield United Academy with Dobcroft Junior School winning the tournament.

In the only schools football tournament for girls in the region, the final match between Dobcroft Junior School and Aston Fence Junior & Infants School saw the Sheffield side who’d dominated throughout the day secure the trophy by beating Aston Fence in the final game.

To promote and support the England Ladies National Team competing in the Women’s World Cup in Germany, Sheffield & Hallamshire FA decided to give this tournament a special ‘Women’s World Cup’ theme.

South Yorkshire Primary Schools Girls ‘World Cup’ Final 2011 Results

Winners: Sheffield’s Dobcroft Junior School (NIGERIA)

Runner Up: Rotherham’s Aston Fence Junior & Infants School (MEXICO)

3rd Place: Sheffield’s Wybourn Community Primary School (BRAZIL)

4th Place: Doncaster’s Canon Popham C of E Primary School (EQUATORIAL GUINEA)

The 16 successful school teams who qualified for the tournament each drew a Women’s World Cup team out of a hat at the beginning of the day. For the rest of the day each school represented their respective country and were provided with its national flag to fly.

The South Yorkshire primary schools girl’s tournament was launched 11 years ago by Sheffield & Hallamshire FA with just 12 teams entered to take part. Now over 300 primary schools entered a team into this year’s district competitions. That’s around 3,000 school girls taking part and playing football. Schools taking part in the tournament come from across South Yorkshire, with finalists from Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

All finalists in the South Yorkshire primary schools girls’ final received a special visit from a legend. The Women’s FA Cup Sponsored by E.ON made a guest appearance for the morning much to the delight of all the school competitors.

All the teams and managers had a photo opportunity with the trophy between matches. Two other special guest appearances for the final were England International and Lincoln Ladies Player Sue Smith and our very own Women’s Super League Player Maria Karlsson from Doncaster Rovers Belles. Both Sue and Maria spent the afternoon watching some excellent games of football, signing autographs, posing for photos and then presented the medals and winning trophy to the competing girls.

Winners, Dobcroft Junior School and runners up, Aston Fence Junior & Infants School have been invited as special guests to watch Doncaster Rovers Belles v Bristol Academy in The WSL at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday 7th August 2011 - 2pm kick off. They will play a showcase game at half time on the Keepmoat pitch.

Gemma Gale, Girls and Women’s Football Development Officer for Sheffield & Hallamshire FA said “This tournament is not only one of the biggest competitions we as a County FA run, but it’s one of the highest participated in the country. This year’s event was fantastic! The Women’s World Cup theme created a lively festival atmosphere with international theme with the flying of international flags which also provided an educational element for the players. Everyone involved with the event enjoyed the day from start to finish.

The girl’s standard of football has improved year on year as we see more and more girls being given the opportunity to play football in school. School football for girls has come a long way and it’s encouraging to see teachers taking coaching courses and I anticipate this competition to get bigger and better each year, as more schools enter and the standard continues to improve.”

Football is a really good way of helping girls keep fit, make new friends and develop new skills in a safe and fun environment. If you are interested in setting up or joining a girls team then please contact Gemma Gale on 0114 2414 992 or email gemma.gale@sheffieldfa.com

Please visit www.sheffieldfa.com/Development/WomenAndGirls

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